Adenomyosis: Meaning in a Radiology Report

Adenomyosis

Also written as: focal adenomyosis, diffuse adenomyosis, adenomyoma

Adenomyosis means tissue like the lining of the uterus is growing into its muscle wall. It is common and can cause heavy, painful periods.

Seen on: Ultrasound, MRI

How it reads in a report

The uterus is globular, with asymmetric thickening of the posterior myometrium and small myometrial cysts, in keeping with adenomyosis.

What it means

The uterus has an inner lining (endometrium) and a thick muscle wall (myometrium). In adenomyosis, small islands of lining tissue sit inside the muscle. They respond to monthly hormones, and the muscle around them thickens. On ultrasound or MRI the uterus may look enlarged and rounded, with an uneven wall, tiny cysts, or a thickened border zone between lining and muscle.

When it matters

Adenomyosis is common and often causes no symptoms. When it does, typical problems are heavy or painful periods and pelvic pain, and it may make pregnancy harder for some. It is not cancer. It often occurs alongside fibroids or endometriosis, and it usually settles after menopause. Treatment depends on symptoms and pregnancy plans, and your doctor may suggest medicine or other options.

Questions to ask your doctor

Is the adenomyosis spread through the wall, or in one spot?
Could it be the cause of my heavy or painful periods?
Could it affect my chances of getting pregnant?

General information, not medical advice. What a finding means for you depends on your symptoms, your history and the images themselves, so talk your results through with a doctor.